Despite a commercial whaling ban, Japan has continued the practice near Antarctica, by exploiting a loophole in the international law which allows whales to be killed for "scientific" purposes. (AP Photo/The Institute of Cetacean Research, HO)

(Newser)
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Secret government meetings could usher in a new era of legal commercial whaling for the first time in more than 20 years, the Independent reports. Twenty-eight whaling and anti-whaling nations have met twice to reach a compromise on the ban, which came after the near-extinction of many species. Environmentalists say the plan amounts to “waving the white flag” to whaling nations such as Japan.

While the International Whaling Commission has been ineffective for decades, Japan has continued killing whales for "scientific" purposes, though it has also sold whale meat for food. An animal rights advocate called the unpublicized talks "a political fix to give Japan what it wants," but a diplomat leading the negotiations says the "possibly painful" compromise is "eminently practical."

I have never understood the asian appetite for endangered or nearly endangered animals....like the Black rhino ect......leave the damn whales alone

woodyTX

Feb 22, 2009 10:23 PM CST

The move is "eminently practical" for all but the whales. I think "made in Japan" articles will be off of my purchase list from here on out. I wish it was as easy as you suggest Mr. C. ...very hard to enforce.